20 dead, scores injured as NTPC boiler explodes in UP

Lucknow: A massive explosion ripped a boiler at the state-run power giant NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli district Thursday, killing at least 20 people and injuring nearly 100, officials said.
The NTPC initiated a probe to ascertain the reasons behind the blast, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the grievously injured, they added.
“Twenty deaths have been confirmed by the district administration. Twenty-two people with severe burns have been referred to Lucknow. Another 15 are admitted to a Rae Bareli hospital,” UP’s ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said.
He said that the number of casualties could rise.
Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that 90-100 people were injured in the blast.
In a statement, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) said that at unit number six of its Unchahar plant, there was a sudden abnormal sound at 20-meter elevation around 3:30 in the afternoon.
There was an opening in corner number two from which hot flue gases and steam “escaped” affecting the people working around the area, the central public sector undertaking said.
It added that around 80 people were rushed to NTPC hospital, most of whom were discharged after first-aid.
The 1,550-MW plant supplies electricity to nine states, according to officials, and employs around 870 people. PTI

Subscribe by Email

Search in Archive

Select a MonthSelect a CategorySearch with Google

Stay with us

About

Launched in May 2012, Kashmir Reader is one of the leading English language newspapers of Jammu and Kashmir. It’s published daily from Srinagar by Helpline Group, which earned a name and fame in serious journalism